Assateague Island National Seashore

Anchors

Peaceful waves loll across the beach. Wild horses graze in the marshlands. Overgrown woods reach to the sky freely. The sun sets over wildlife, water, and humans, living in harmony.

About

Assateague Information

Enjoy the beauty of the herds of wild Assateague horses that roam the beaches and woods. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays.

Enjoy the beauty of the herds of wild Assateague horses that roam the beaches and woods. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and coastal bays.

“That the sea is one of the most beautiful and magnificent sights in Nature, all admit.”— John Joly

Bands of wild horses freely roam amongst plants and native animals that have adapted to a life of sand, salt and wind. Special thickened leaves and odd shapes reveal the plant world's successful struggle here. Ghost crabs buried in the cool beach sand and tree swallows plucking bayberries on their southward migration offer glimpses of the animal world's connection to Assateague.

At this National Seashore, visitors can hike, ride horses along the beach, hunt (in-season, of course!), kayak, swim and surf and camp. There’s enough adventure to satisfy everyone in your family.

Visiting Assateague

Map of the Park

Park Weather

The weather on Assateague is as varied as the seasons: hot in the summer, cool and rainy in the springs, cold in the winter, and pleasant (and beautiful, to boot!) in the fall.

Tours and Camping

Camping is available on Assateague, but only on the Maryland side. There are 4 campgrounds currently open, but be sure to check the schedule as hunting season greatly impacts their availability. Backcountry and horse camping are also available through special reservations.

Wildlife in the Park

The horses that live on the islands of Assateague and Chincoteague have inspired folklore over the years — but there’s more to these coastlines than just ponies, like white-tailed deer, frogs, toads, seabirds and geese.